Combine your business acumen with your computer science and technology talents through an online MBA information systems degree. These flexible programs train management professionals to bridge the divide between fast-paced, competitive IT development, project management, and corporate leadership. Many online management information systems degrees offer benefits to working students such as accelerated MBA options, credit for previous work experience, and training directly applicable to the workplace.
Information systems management is a highly competitive, fast-growing, and well-salaried career path meant for those dedicated to leadership and ongoing learning in the technology field. You have many career opportunities, from supply chain management or enterprise resource planning to customer relations and security management. An online MBA information systems degree can take impressive annual earnings of $151,150 to the top ten percent making over $208,000 a year! With these prospects, the current cost of these degrees may not seem like a big obstacle. But considering the difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs is almost $88,000, it pays to do some research before committing to a degree.
GetEducated has surveyed 37 MBA information systems programs from 37 regionally accredited online schools for you. This ‘Best Buy’ list reveals the most affordable degrees in the United States, with tuition prices below the national average. The 24 best online MBA information systems degrees for under $31,400.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$31,400
Least Expensive: Fort Hays State University ~$11,900.00
Most Expensive: Pepperdine University ~$99,840.00
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online MBA information systems degrees. The online information systems MBA programs listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online MBA Information Systems
American Public University System 
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $11,900.00 | All Students |
2 | Emporia State University | (KS) | $11,979.00 | All Students |
3 | University of Central Arkansas | (AR) | $12,016.80 | All Students |
4 | Lamar University | (TX) | $12,626.00 | All Students |
5 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $13,757.94 $15,992.34 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | Texas A & M University-Central Texas | (TX) | $14,504.04 $29,192.04 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | Delta State University | (MS) | $15,750.00 | All Students |
8 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | (IL) | $17,787.24 | All Students |
9 | University of North Alabama | (AL) | $17,850.00 | All Students |
10 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | (NC) | $18,113.40 $45,771.48 | In-State Out-of-State |
11 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $18,220.00 | All Students |
12 | Colorado Mesa University | (CO) | $18,540.00 | All Students |
13 | West Texas A & M University | (TX) | $20,122.45 $35,887.78 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Metropolitan State University | (MN) | $22,542.72 | All Students |
15 | Park University | (MO) | $22,895.00 $17,318.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
16 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $23,060.00 | All Students |
17 | Baker College | (MI) | $25,500.00 $13,800.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
18 | Ashland University | (OH) | $27,000.00 | All Students |
19 | Central Michigan University | (MI) | $27,050.00 $25,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
20 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $28,170.00 $32,895.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 | Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor | (WI) | $28,373.00 | All Students |
22 | University of Michigan-Flint | (MI) | $28,405.25 $35,170.25 | In-State Out-of-State |
23 | Morgan State University | (MD) | $30,000.00 | All Students |
24 | Florida State University | (FL) | $30,427.02 $31,599.36 | In-State Out-of-State |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saint Francis University | (PA) | $31,695.00 | All Students | |
DeSales University | (PA) | $31,800.00 | All Students | |
Florida Atlantic University | (FL) | $32,000.00 | All Students | |
University of Michigan - Dearborn | (MI) | $36,220.00 $58,304.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Rider University | (NJ) | $36,780.00 | All Students | |
Roosevelt University | (IL) | $37,404.00 | All Students | |
New Jersey Institute of Technology | (NJ) | $51,936.00 | All Students | |
University of Arizona | (AZ) | $52,315.00 | All Students | |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | (MA) | $57,960.00 | All Students | |
Bentley University | (MA) | $63,300.00 | All Students | |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | (AL) | $63,518.00 | All Students | |
Stevens Institute of Technology | (NJ) | $70,144.00 | All Students | |
Pepperdine University | (CA) | $99,840.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
AACSB AACSB International
IACBE International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
ACBSP Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited online MBA information systems programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online MBA degrees in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an MBA that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for an information systems MBA may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online MBA information systems options for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online MBA Information Systems
These programs are perfect for aspiring managers and business leaders who want to work in the growing technology sector. Businesses and organizations of all sizes have a need for reliable, efficient information networks, making these educations more important in the coming years.
If you want to not just work in the technology sector, but be a leader who guides other information-systems experts, an online MBA information systems degree may be perfect for your future.
An MBA: A Top Choice for Aspiring Leaders
An MBA, which stands for “Master’s of Business Administration” is one of the most popular graduate degrees in the country. This is a general business degree that teaches students advanced methods in leadership, management, team organization, and other disciplines that are important to business managers.
Earning a master’s, whether you study information systems management or one of the many other concentrations, is a great way to enhance your career opportunities and potential earnings. It provides skills that are necessary to any business and organization, including non-profits and government agencies.
What to Expect from an MBA with an Information Systems Concentration
Each MBA in information systems management will come with different standards, courses, and completion times, but they usually take about two years to complete. Throughout these two years, you will be challenged with advanced topics in management and leadership, you’ll study some of the most well-established practices in team organization, business administration, and group communication.
These degrees, although they come with a focus on information systems, are, at their core, business programs. (An MBA is fundamentally a business degree.) Therefore, you will complete a variety of general business courses, which may include accounting, statistics, analytics, marketing, human resources, and more. Technology, computers, and information networks are just part of the degree, so you may need additional education, experience, or training in technology to qualify for some of the top positions.
An MBA with a concentration on information systems management will generally be divided into two categories: the MBA core courses, which are completed by all MBA students, and the concentration courses, which in this case means information systems. The core courses will include topics like business law, economics, corporate finance, and strategic management.
The courses that are specific to information systems will generally focus more on leadership and management among technology teams, rather than the technology itself. Although you will learn to directly work with the technology and software, your courses may include data-driven strategies, information security, and using technology to enhance business intelligence.
Careers for Online MBA Information Systems Graduates
After you complete one of these high-level degrees, you’ll be prepared for many excellent careers, careers that are both fulfilling and bring some of the strongest salaries in the job market.
Computer & Information Systems Managers
- Salary: $151,150
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Over 5 years
From determining the technology needs of an organization to hiring a tech team to monitoring information security, a computer and information systems manager is one of the most important professionals for a large organization. In this career, you will hold overall responsibility for an organization’s computer network, a responsibility that brings many different tasks.
The pay for this career is outstanding, and the top 10% can expect earnings over $208,000 annually. However, you will need experience to work in this profession. Whether you work professionally before or after completing an MBA, you’ll need about five years of experience before you can be hired as a manager.
Computer Network Architect
- Salary: $116,780
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Over five years
Although they share many responsibilities with information systems managers, a network architect usually works directly with the computer systems, as opposed to managing other technology professionals. However, an online MBA information systems degree can be beneficial, as it helps you understand the needs of companies and deliver systems that meet those needs.
Professional experience is also required for this high-level job, although this requirement may be reduced if you have an MBA. Usually five to ten years in the industry is required before you can be hired to one of these positions.
Licensing, Experience & Other Requirements for These Careers
You likely won’t need licensing, but voluntary certification can boost your technology career. Certification directly from the software companies can be useful for both technology managers and network architects.
As we’ve noted, you’ll also need professional experience. This is a crucial aspect, as most companies prefer their leaders to have at least five years of experience before they can be hired as leaders.